Picture frame



June 16, 1936. A, L HAW v r 2,044,125

PICTURE FRAME Filed Sept. 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. SHAW PICTURE FRAME June 16, 1936.

Filed Sept. 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w n AlbehfiL. Shazu f'atented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This'invention relates to picture frames and is more particularly an improvement upon the structure disclosed in my Patent 1,998,640, issued to me on April 23, 1935.

It is an object of the invention to provide a picture frame which efficiently seals the framed picture from dust and moisture, adds depth to the picture, and provides means whereby the device can be used either as an easel frame or a frame to be suspended from a wall or the like.

Another object is to provide an easel structure forming a part of a back panel or closure which can be manipulated readily for facilitating the insertion or removal of a picture, but which can be tightly sealed after said insertion.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain new and novel details of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that various changes in the construction and operation of the parts may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a picture frame constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the device set up for use as an easel.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 2.

Figure '7 is an enlarged section on line 'I-T, Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on line 8-8, Figure 2.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates the body of the frame which can be made of paper board, celotex or other specially prepared boards of desired thickness. In the device as illustrated this body is formed with a rectangular opening 2 which, because of the thickness of the material, is of considerable depth. The walls of the opening are channelled at the back to provide a seat 3 of suflicient size to receive the edge portions of the picture or other article 4 to be framed. Another seat 5 is provided in the walls of the opening 2, back of seat 3, and this latter seat 5 is adapted to receive the edge portions of a back panel or closure 6 shaped to fit snugly on its seat and in the opening, with its exposed or outer face substantially flush with the corresponding surface of the body I.

Fastened in any suitable manner flat upon the panel 6 is a supplemental panel 1 spaced inwardly from the edges of said panel 6 and having slits which define an upwardly extended tongue 8 provided with a tapered or pointed end 9., Hingedly connected to the upper edge of the supplemental panel 1 is a supporting member 10 having slits II forming a pressure lip l2 therebetween. A strip of tough paper or of suitable fabric has been shown at I3 and is used for connecting the upper edge of panel 6 to the body I, thus serving as a hinge and also as a means for sealing the meeting upper edges of said panel 6 and opening 2.

The front face of the body has a cover H of glass and applied to the back surface of this glass cover is a mat l5 of suitably colored paper or, if preferred, the back surface of the glass can be painted to define a clear space through which will appear thepicture displayed in the opening 2. The cover l4 and body I coincide in shape and size and the edges can obviously be of any preferred contours. It is intended usually to bevel the edges of the complete frame formed of body I and cover 2 and these beveled edge portions have been indicated at It. To seal the frame at its edges there is applied to each edge a thin coating of a suitable elastic, water-proof cement which, when dry, forms an elastic film of substantially invisible material serving to exclude from between the edges of the several parts, all dust and moisture. This film of sealing material has been shown at IT.

Any desired means can be employed for joining the glass cover M to the body I. For example the stems I8 of buttons I9 can be inserted back through these parts and the back ends of the stems can be fastened by nuts 20 screwed thereon. A cord can be used for connecting the nuts or the stems, as shown at 2| and that portion 22 of the cord extending across the back of the upper portion of the frame can be employed for engaging a supporting hook or the like, not shown. Another cord for the same purpose can be tied onto the side portions of cord 2| and can be slid therealong when subjected to sufficient pressure, thereby to provide an adjustable support-engaging cord 23. A third support engaging cord 24 can be attached to panel 6.

In using this device the panel 6 is swung out of the opening 2 and the picture 4 is inserted. The panel is then swung back on its seat 5 after which strips 25 of sealing tape are afiixed to the body I and panel 6 so as to seal the meeting edges thereof. The frame can then be suspended by means of any or all of the cords 22, 23 and 24 or, if preferred, the supporting member I 0 can be swung outwardly away from panel B, tongue 8 swung downwardly and the end of said tongue forced through the slit H beneath lip [2. This lip will bind frictionally upon the tongue 8 and act as a lock therefor. Thus the device is ready for use as an easel.

The buttons can be made of any colors desired so as to add to the color scheme of the frame. If preferred, however, the buttons can be omitted entirely and the parts held together solely by the sealing material at the edges.

What is claimed is:--

1. A picture frame including a body having an opening for the display of a picture therein, a transparent cover for the opening and body, a panel hingedly connected to the back of the body and adapted to close the opening back of the displayed picture, a second panel carried thereby, a tongue carried by the second panel, a supporting member hinged to the second panel and having a tongue receiving slit, and a clamping lip adjacent to said slit for engaging the tongue to hold it in the slit.

2. A picture frame including a body having an opening, there being stepped seats in the opening, one of said seats being provided for engagement by the edge portions of a picture to be displayed within the opening, a transparent cover for the body and opening, a panel removably mounted on the other seat, a film of sealing material applied to the edges of the body and cover, sealing material applied to the edges of the panel and to the body, means extending through the cover and body for fastening them together, and a suspension cord connecting said means.

3. A picture frame including a body having an opening for the display of a picture therein, a transparent cover for the opening, means extending through the body and cover for fastening them together, a cord connecting said means, an adjustable suspension cord mounted on the connecting cord, and a panel for closing the opening and backing the picture.

4. A picture frame including a transparent cover, a body back of the cover for holding a picture in position to be displayed through the cover, said body having an opening back of the picture, means for coating the edges of the cover and body to seal the same, a hingedly mounted panel for closing the opening, an easel carried by said hinged panel, and means for sealing the hinged panel in the opening in the body.

ALBERT LEMUEL SHAW. 

